7 women I celebrate in psychotherapy

As a recovering editor-cum-marketeer, I’m a bit ambivalent about a content hook, but psychotherapy is another world that has been dominated by men in terms of academia and accolades. So here are 7 women I celebrate in psychotherapy. They inspire me, enlighten me and ground me in their massive minds, hearts and souls.

1. Melanie Klein - a controversial character in psychoanalysis, her ideas and observations on ‘splitting’ as a developmental defence mechanism has taught me to approach any binary thinking, othering and idealism I encounter with curiosity and patience.

2. Anna Freud - I was inspired by her research on absent-fathered orphans during WWII and this in turn kickstarted my own research on paternal absence. Her legacy the Anna Freud centre @afnccf still supports young families today, myself included when I was very new to parenting.

3. Mary Ainsworth - the lesser-known mind behind attachment theory, Mary’s research has taught me that an attachment style is dynamic rather than fixed and however we may identify, each is a sincere attempt to maintain a relationship with an important person against all odds.

4. Pat Ogden - in bringing mind-body together, Ogden has helped me to put narrative aside and tune into the wisdom of the body in my work with people, particularly when it comes to healing relational trauma.

5. Deb Dana - another trauma specialist, Dana has helped me honour ‘glimmers’ of change and understand how these small micro moments can stack up to seismic shifts for people in psychotherapy.

6. Ruella Frank - a gestalt and somatic psychologist, her work on 6 fundamental movements that underpin all our relationships and begin in the womb has been enlivening and reminds me that without our feet on the ground, we can not reach for true and meaningful connection with others.

7. Tara Brach - balanced delicately at the intersection of psychology and spirituality, Brach provides a constant and gentle reminder to me that a daily practice of self-compassion is the key to healing and holding a healing space for others

Thank you to all these women.
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